ABSTRACT
Differential display of mRNA, first described by Liang and Pardee (1992), is a technique for broad-scale surveys of transcribed gene expression patterns and subsequently cloning sequences with desired expression characteristicso The technique relies upon the use of arbitrary primers and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and thus is similar in concept to previously established techniques such as randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis of genomic DNAo Informative patterns or 'fingerprints' of amplification products can be produced even when no previous information is available concerning primer sites and/or expected productso These patterns provide the basis for selecting and ulti mately isolating differentially expressed genes and have even been suggested as a means for identifying and classifying different RNA sources (Liang et aI. , 1993) .
